Distinguish between the source and the surface traits given by Cattell, live examples.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answer:
According to Raymond Cattell, surface traits are observable behaviors that appear in clusters, while source traits are the underlying factors that produce those behaviors. Source traits are deeper and more stable, influencing many different behaviors, whereas surface traits are more superficial and may change depending on the situation.
Explanation
Raymond Cattell, a psychologist well known for his work in personality theory, made an important distinction between surface traits and source traits in his 16 Personality Factor (16PF) model.
Surface traits are those traits that are visible and observable in a person’s behavior. They are the traits that we notice in others on a day-to-day basis. However, these traits do not explain the underlying cause of behavior. They are often influenced by both internal personality and external environmental conditions. Surface traits are not consistent over time or across situations, and they may vary depending on mood or context.
Example of surface traits:
A person might often be talkative, friendly, and cheerful in social settings. These are observable behaviors that suggest a friendly or outgoing personality. However, such traits might disappear when the person is placed in a stressful or unfamiliar environment.
On the other hand, source traits are the core, underlying structures of personality. They are fewer in number but more powerful because they determine consistent patterns of behavior. Source traits are stable, less influenced by the environment, and harder to identify directly. Cattell used factor analysis to discover these traits and concluded there are 16 of them.
Example of source traits:
If someone scores high on the source trait of extraversion, this trait might express itself through various surface behaviors like being talkative, sociable, energetic, and outgoing. Even in new situations, the person is likely to display similar social behaviors because the underlying trait remains consistent.
In summary, surface traits are the visible expression of deeper source traits. By understanding source traits, psychologists can better predict behavior across different contexts and over time.
